Palestinian prisoners suspend hunger strike

Published September 2nd, 2004 - 03:00 GMT

Thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel suspended an 18-day hunger strike on Thursday, with representatives claiming that Israel had agreed

Thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel suspended an 18-day hunger strike on Thursday, with representatives claiming that Israel had agreed to meet demands for improving their conditions. Israeli authorities confirmed that the strike was ending, but denied giving in to any Palestinian demands.

About 4,000 prisoners opened the strike on Aug. 15. The prisoners had presented a list of demands to improve their conditions.

Issa Karake, head of the Palestinian prisoners' association, said about 3,500 prisoners had halted the strike on Thursday, The AP reported.

Karake added Israeli authorities had given in to many demands, including an end to strip searches, allowing prisoners to speak their families over the phone, and removing glass barriers between prisoners and visitors. (albawaba.com)